Variation-based design of an AM demodulator in a printed complementary organic technology

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Formation of the Isthmus of Panama

The formation of the Isthmus of Panama stands as one of the greatest natural events of the Cenozoic, driving profound biotic transformations on land and in the oceans. Some recent studies suggest that the Isthmus formed manymillions of years earlier than the widely recognized age of approximately 3 million years ago (Ma), a result that if true would revolutionize our understanding of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary change across the Americas. To bring clarity to the question of when the Isthmus of Panama formed, we provide an exhaustive review and reanalysis of geological, paleontological, and molecular records. These independent lines of evidence converge upon a cohesive narrative of gradually emerging land and constricting seaways,withformationof theIsthmus of Panama sensustricto around 2.8 Ma. The evidence used to support an older isthmus is inconclusive, and we caution against the uncritical acceptance of an isthmus before the Pliocene.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

CM-Path Molecular Diagnostics Forum-consensus statement on the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic tests in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Pathology has evolved from a purely morphological description of cellular alterations in disease to our current ability to interrogate tissues with multiple 'omics' technologies. By utilising these techniques and others, 'molecular diagnostics' acts as the cornerstone of precision/personalised medicine by attempting to match the underlying disease mechanisms to the most appropriate targeted therapy. METHODS: Despite the promises of molecular diagnostics, significant barriers have impeded its widespread clinical adoption. Thus, the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cellular Molecular Pathology (CM-Path) initiative convened a national Molecular Diagnostics Forum to facilitate closer collaboration between clinicians, academia, industry, regulators and other key stakeholders in an attempt to overcome these. RESULTS: We agreed on a consensus 'roadmap' that should be followed during development and implementation of new molecular diagnostic tests. We identified key barriers to efficient implementation and propose possible solutions to these. In addition, we discussed the recent reconfiguration of molecular diagnostic services in NHS England and its likely impacts. CONCLUSIONS: We anticipate that this consensus statement will provide practical advice to those involved in the development of novel molecular diagnostic tests. Although primarily focusing on test adoption within the United Kingdom, we also refer to international guidelines to maximise the applicability of our recommendations

Coelopleurus L. Agassiz 1840

Coelopleurus L. Agassiz, 1840 Catalogus systematicus Ectyporum Echinodermatum fossilium Musei Neocomensis. p. 12 and p. 19. Type species: Cidaris coronalis Leske, 1778 (= Coelopleurus equis L. Agassiz, 1840) by monotypy. Assigned species: see Mortensen (1935) for the additional 11 species/subspeciesPublished as part of Coppard, Simon E. & Schultz, Heinke A. G., 2006, A new species of Coelopleurus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Arbaciidae) from New Caledonia, pp. 1-19 in Zootaxa 1281 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17339

Coelopleurus exquisitus Coppard & Schultz, 2006, sp. nov.

Coelopleurus exquisitus sp. nov. Figs. 1–5, table 1 a. Diagnosis: Long, highly curved primary spines that are banded red and pale­green for three quarters of their length distally (see Figs 1 A–C and 3 D–F). For the basal quarter of their length the spines blend from pale­green to lavender mid­way through the spine’s collar. The collar measures 18 % of the ambital primary spine’s length and has a prominent longitudinal dorsal ridge. Smaller longitudinal ridges are present on both the collar’s dorsal (Fig. 3 G) and ventral (Fig. 3 H) surface with granules between dorsal ridges. Secondary spines (Fig. 3 K) are either cream or olive green blending into red distally and tapering to a point. The test has large, straight edged, naked median interambulacral regions (Figs. 1 A and C, 2 A and F; 3 C) that start from the genital plates, and comprise 65 % of the width of the interambulacra measured at the ambitus. These naked median regions are purple in contrast to the test’s olive/light brown epithelium, with each median region having a pinkish/lavender undulating line that continues to the lower element of the fifth plate from above. The peristome is large (Figs. 1 B and 2 B), measuring 56 % of the test’s horizontal diameter. The auricles are robust, with moderately high processes (Fig. 2 E). The aboral ophicephalous pedicellariae have stalks that are not distinctly swollen or ‘fleshy’ (Fig. 3 L). The distal and proximal regions of the ophicephalous valves are equal in length and are slightly constricted above the adductor muscle insertion points (Fig. 4 H and I). Holotype: EcEh 1281, MNHN­Paris­Echinoderms, N. O. “Vauban” MUSORSTOM 4, St. DW 181 350 m, 18 ° 57 ’S 163 ° 22 ’E, New Caledonia, C. Vadon Coll. 18 th September, 1985. Paratypes: fifteen specimens; fourteen specimens in MNHN­Paris­Echinoderms (EcEh 1282), N. O. “Vauban” MUSORSTOM 4, St. DW 181 350 m, 18 ° 57 ’S 163 ° 22 ’E, New Caledonia, C. Vadon Coll. 18 th September, 1985. One specimen in the Natural History Museum, London, registration number (NHM 2006.599). Other material: Five specimens (unregistered) MNHN­Paris­Echinoderms, N. O. “Jean­Charcot” BIOCAL, St. DW 50 240–260 m, 23 ° 07’ South, 167 ° 54 ’ East, New Caledonia, Guille and Menau Collection, 31 th August 1985; Registration No. J 20052 Sydney Museum collection,, Coreolus Expedition, 23 ° 06’ South, 167 ° 05’ East, South of Isles of Pines, New Caledonia, at a depth of 520 m. Etymology: After the exquisite coloured markings on the test and spines. Description: The test is subcircular (Figs. 1 A, 2 A and E) (not distinctly pentagonal as in C. maillardi see tables 1 a and 1 b) with a horizontal diameter of 32.5 mm (holotype) and is moderately inflated adapically with a vertical diameter of 17.8 mm. The ambulacra are slightly raised aborally (Fig. 2 C) while the interambulacra are correspondingly slightly sunken (Fig. 2 D). The base colour of the epithelium of the test is olive/light brown (Fig. 1 A), these regions being white on the denuded test (see Fig. 2 A–E). The apical system is small (9.0 mm) and dicyclic (see Figs. 2 A and 3 A) with all ocular plates exsert. The genital plates are proportionally large, with ophicephalous pedicellariae on their inner edge (Fig. 3 A). The attachment points for the ophicephalous pedicellariae are small granules on the denuded test (Fig. 2 A). The genital plates and ocular plates are brightly coloured. The points of the ocular and genital plates are pink with a lavender central region in contrast to the orange terminal plates of the outer series of the interambulacra and the olive/light brown (white on naked test) of the ambulacra. The genital pores are small and are encompassed on the genital plates by a purple U­shaped region that forms the top of the purple naked region of each interambulacrum. The periproct on the holotype measures 4.8 mm (approximately 15 % of the test’s horizontal diameter) and has four equally sized, valve­like, triangular plates. These are cream in colour, and fill the periproct (Fig. 3 A). The ambulacra are slightly inflated, the adradial edges undulating (Fig. 3 B) as the ambulacra expand towards the ambitus and decreasing in size towards the peristome. Plating on the ambulacra is formed of typical arbaciid triads (compound plates formed of three plates), each triad possessing a large primary tubercle with an imperforate mamelon, the areole forming a raised platform on the plate, with two series of primary tubercles in each ambulacrum. The uppermost ambulacral plates bear a primary tubercle only on one side (i.e. in one series). On the plate immediately beneath the ambitus the primary tubercles on the ambulacra and interambulacra are of equal size (Fig. 2 C and D). Adapically the areoles are confluent, but from the compound plate directly above the ambitus to the peristome there is a narrow median region which has a series of secondary tubercles, interspaced with miliary tubercles (Fig. 3 B). These increase in number adorally. There are no secondary or miliary tubercles in the pore­zones above the ambitus, while miliary tubercles are present in the pore­zones beneath the ambitus. The ambulacra are olive/light brown (Fig. 1 A), while on the naked test the ambulacra are white with orange median lines (Figs. 2 C and 3 B), which begin from the fourth primary tubercle and bisect the median region continuing to the apex of the test adorally. The interambulacra are broader than the ambulacra at the ambitus (Figs. 3 B and C) with a ratio of 1.5:1.0. The interambulacra are characterized by large naked median regions (Figs. 2 D and 3 C). These are purple and sharply defined both in colour (bordered by olive lines with red dots on the adradial edge of the lower corner of each plate) and by small straight edged adradial ridges. This naked region comprises 65 % of the width of the interambulacra measured at the ambitus. A pinkish/lavender undulating line proceeds down the centre of each naked median region, which increases in the width of the undulation towards the ambitus. The purple colouration starts from the genital plates and is clearly defined to the sixth plate from above (Fig. 3 C). The purple colour faintly continues beyond the naked region towards the peristome, but not in the midline between the two series of tubercles beneath the ambitus (Fig. 3 C). There are no primary tubercles in the naked median regions on the first four plates adapically. One or two secondary tubercles are present on the adambital and lower adradial edges of the fourth plates. On the fifth plate there are several secondary tubercles and a small primary tubercle, which lacks a large areole. The sixth plate (at or just below the ambitus depending on which series is being observed) has a large primary tubercle, equal in size and structure to those in the same region on the ambulacra. There are 6–7 primary tubercles in each of two main series of primary tubercles, which gradually decrease in size towards the peristome. The median region between these two series is relatively narrow with a single series of secondary tubercles and miliary tubercles on either side. Three distinctive red ‘dots’ are present in the suture line between the central elements of plates 5 and 6 in one series and plate 5 in the second series (Fig. 3 C). These correspond to the positions of three red secondary spines. An outer series of tubercles extends from the peristome to the apical disc, which become increasingly oblique and reduced in number adapically. Such tubercles on the naked test appear white in the upper element of each compound plate and red in the lower element appearing as red patches in olive lines that border the naked median regions. These red tubercles increase in number with a single tubercle in the lower corner of plate 1, 2 in the lower corner of plate 2, with a maximum of three in an oblique series in the lower corner of plate 3. The peristome is subcircular (Fig. 2 B and E) and on the holotype measures 17.4 mm in diameter, 56 % of the test horizontal diameter. The peristomial membrane is dark brown with five pairs of buccal tube feet (Fig. 1 B). Each pair being distinctly separated from the next and closely surrounded by large numbers of ophicephalous pedicellariae. A few scattered ophicephalous pedicellariae occur across the peristomial membrane, which is otherwise naked. The buccal notches are shallow but distinct while the gill­tags proceed to the midpoint of the fourth ambulacral primary tubercle (Fig. 2 B). The auricles have moderately high processes and are robust in appearance (Fig. 2 E). Primary spines occur in three forms (see Figs. 3 D­J). The most adapical large primary spines (the first large tubercles on the ambulacra) are moderately curved and almost cylindrical except for the laterally compressed ridge, which proceeds up one third of the spine’s dorsal length (Fig. 3 F). These spines are banded red and pale­green for three quarters of their length distally. For the basal quarter of their length the spines blend from pale­green to lavender. This colouration occurs on all sides of the spine. The collar of the spine does not distinctly end, as ridges and furrows occur along the spine’s total length and are clearly visible when seen in cross­section (Fig. 4 B). Granules occur between the ridges, most noticeably proximally, but also along the spine’s length both dorsally and ventrally. The tips of these spines are slightly rounded, but without an obvious hyalinecap. The spines are subcircular when viewed in cross­section with distinct ridges and furrows, which proceed longitudinally down the spine’s length. The internal structure (Fig. 4 B) consists of a small central cavity (which comprises 27 % of the spine’s diameter), a large region of dense stereom and an outer dermis. The central cavity is comprised of an axial cavity, which is filled with loosely reticulated stereom and 12–14 radiating solid wedges. These project into and through the dense stereom. The dermis is thin and rough in texture, but non­verticillate. The second form of primary spine start on the fifth ambulacral tubercle and the second interambulacral tubercle beneath the naked median region and continue down to the apex of the test. These primary aboral spines are highly curved (Fig. 3 D and E), and flattened both laterally and ventrally above the collar. On their upper surface these spines have the same colouration as the adapical primaries, however, on their underside the spines are typically white (Fig. 1 B), with occasionally a faint impression of the pattern observed on the dorsal surface. The longest primary spines in this species are of this form and on the holotype the longest spine measures 76.2 mm (2.3 times the test’s horizontal diameter) but does not have the tip present. The collar is well defined and typically measures 18 % of the spine’s total length with distinct longitudinal furrows and ridges on the underside (Fig. 3 H), and granules and a few ridges on the dorsal surface (Fig. 3 G). In cross­section the spines are triangular with a convex ventral surface. Their internal structure consists of a small central cavity, which comprises 23 % of the spine’s horizontal diameter, a large, dense region of stereom and a relatively thick epidermis. The central zone is composed of an axial cavity, which is filled with loosely reticulated stereom and 12–14 radiating solid wedges. These project into the dense stereom region. The epidermis is smooth continuing from the spine’s tip to the spine’s collar. The third form of primary spine is present on the oral surface. They are short (typically not longer than 15 mm) and dorso­ventrally flattened (Figs. 3 I and J; 4 C). On their dorsal surface they are light green with a central ridge (Figs. 3 I and 4 C), while their ventral surface (Fig. 3 J) is white and smooth. The collar is well defined, measuring 18 % of the spine’s length, with distinct ridges dorsally and ventrally. These spines are almost diamond­shaped when viewed in cross­section (Fig. 4 C). Their internal structure is similar to the ambital spines but compressed dorso­ventrally. However, the axial cavity is proportionally larger (33 % of the spine’s diameter), filled with loosely reticulated stereom and has short radiating solid wedges which typically number from 12–14. The dense stereom is well developed and continues between the dorsal and ventral solid wedges. The epidermis is thick and smooth and continues down the spine’s length to the collar. Secondary spines (Fig. 3 K and 4 D) are slender and pointed (not club­shaped) either red proximally blending into green distally or cream with longitudinal ridges. These spines are circular in cross­section with a large central cavity (relative to the primary spines) measuring 55 % of the spine’s diameter, which consists of a small axial cavity filled with loosely reticulated stereom and 12–14 solid wedges. The region of dense stereom is proportionally smaller than in the primary spines, while the epidermis is rough (but nonverticillate) and thin. Miliary spines are similar in colour to secondary spines but lack the longitudinal ridges. Ophicephalous pedicellariae (Figs. 3 L and 4 E, H and I) are abundant all over the test surface. These are particularly noticeable around the periproct (Fig. 3 A) and along the adradial edges of the ambulacra. The stalks of the ophicephalous pedicellariae are relatively long (typically 1.5 mm), the skin of the stalk being only very slightly swollen proximally (Figs. 3 L and 4 E). The neck of each pedicellaria is short but is not distinctly swollen, indicating the absence of glandular tissue in this region. The distal and proximal regions are of approximately equal length, with peripheral teeth present both along the edges of the valves and along the edges of the apophyses (Figs. 4 H and I). These interlock when the valves are closed. The distal regions are constricted, the degree of constriction varying from being very constricted (Fig. 4 H) to moderately constricted (Fig. 4 I) on a single sea urchin. Both specimens illustrated (Figs. 4 H and I) were removed from the aboral surface of the holotype. Ophicephalous pedicellariae are also abundant on the oral surface. These are particularly noticeable around the peristome, the valves of which are only slightly constricted. All ophicephalous pedicellariae in this species exhibit very developed proximal handles, which increase grasping pressure (Mortensen, 1935) and are typical of this class of pedicellaria. The tridentate pedicellariae have long narrow valves (Figs. 3 M, 4 F and J) which meet for their entire length. Peripheral teeth are present along the edges of the valves, which interlock. The neck of each pedicellaria is narrow and relatively short, and is attached to a relatively long (approximately 1.5 mm) and narrow stalk. Tridentate pedicellariae are abundant on the aboral surface particularly around the adapical region of the ambulacra, and are typical of the genus. Triphyllous pedicellariae are less numerous than the other two classes in this species, and have a small head supported by a relative long, broad neck on a proportionally (in relation to the size of the valves) long stalk (Figs. 3 N and 4 G). The valves are broad and spoon­shaped with small peripheral teeth along the edges of the valves which interlock when the head of the pedicellaria is closed. This form of pedicellaria is distributed all over the test in small numbers but provide no species­specific characters.Published as part of Coppard, Simon E. & Schultz, Heinke A. G., 2006, A new species of Coelopleurus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea: Arbaciidae) from New Caledonia, pp. 1-19 in Zootaxa 1281 on pages 4-12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17339

Adam & Eve & Pinch me, tales

Marching to Zion.--Dusky Ruth.--Weep not my wanton.--Piffingeap.--The king of the world.--Adam & Eve & Pinch me.--The princess of kingdom gone.--Communion.--The quiet woman.--The trumpeters.--The angel and the sweep.--Arabesque.--Felix Tincler.--The elixir of youth.--The cherry tree.--Clorinda walks in heaven.--Craven arms.--Cotton.--A broadsheet ballad.--Pomona's babe.--The hurly burly.Mode of access: Internet

High-gain operational transconductance amplifiers in a printed complementary organic TFT technology on flexible foil

This paper presents the design and experimental results of advanced analog blocks manufactured in a printed complementary organic TFT technology on flexible foil. Operational transconductance amplifiers exhibiting open-loop gain from 40 to 50 dB and gain-bandwidth product from 55 Hz to 1.5 kHz have been implemented by using different circuit topologies. An extensive amplifier characterization in both time and frequency domain (i.e., gain, gain-bandwidth product, phase margin, settling time, harmonic distortion) has been carried out, which demonstrates the performance of the adopted technology in analog circuit implementations. Finally, a 40-dB 1.5-kHz amplifier has been employed in a switched capacitor comparator that proved fully functionality up to input frequency of 50 Hz

A phylogenomic resolution of the sea urchin tree of life

Abstract Background Echinoidea is a clade of marine animals including sea urchins, heart urchins, sand dollars and sea biscuits. Found in benthic habitats across all latitudes, echinoids are key components of marine communities such as coral reefs and kelp forests. A little over 1000 species inhabit the oceans today, a diversity that traces its roots back at least to the Permian. Although much effort has been devoted to elucidating the echinoid tree of life using a variety of morphological data, molecular attempts have relied on only a handful of genes. Both of these approaches have had limited success at resolving the deepest nodes of the tree, and their disagreement over the positions of a number of clades remains unresolved. Results We performed de novo sequencing and assembly of 17 transcriptomes to complement available genomic resources of sea urchins and produce the first phylogenomic analysis of the clade. Multiple methods of probabilistic inference recovered identical topologies, with virtually all nodes showing maximum support. In contrast, the coalescent-based method ASTRAL-II resolved one node differently, a result apparently driven by gene tree error induced by evolutionary rate heterogeneity. Regardless of the method employed, our phylogenetic structure deviates from the currently accepted classification of echinoids, with neither Acroechinoidea (all euechinoids except echinothurioids), nor Clypeasteroida (sand dollars and sea biscuits) being monophyletic as currently defined. We show that phylogenetic signal for novel resolutions of these lineages is strong and distributed throughout the genome, and fail to recover systematic biases as drivers of our results. Conclusions Our investigation substantially augments the molecular resources available for sea urchins, providing the first transcriptomes for many of its main lineages. Using this expanded genomic dataset, we resolve the position of several clades in agreement with early molecular analyses but in disagreement with morphological data. Our efforts settle multiple phylogenetic uncertainties, including the position of the enigmatic deep-sea echinothurioids and the identity of the sister clade to sand dollars. We offer a detailed assessment of evolutionary scenarios that could reconcile our findings with morphological evidence, opening up new lines of research into the development and evolutionary history of this ancient clade